Assessing the impact of occupational harzards in ghana (original) (raw)
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SSRN Electronic Journal
It is noted that most developing countries such as Ghana are still grappling with health and safety policies and practices as governments and corporations have made insignificant efforts. This study utilized a questionnaire since it is suitable for both illiterate and literate respondents and allows for the gathering of massive quantities of data in a short space of time. The descriptive statistics, chi-square, likelihood ratio test regression, and correlation were used to assess the occupational safety and health knowledge and practices of employees in the artisanal small-scale gold mine in Obuasi. Although majority of the respondents had less than 5 years of job experience, however about 36% and 19% of the respondents had between 4-10 years and 11-15 years of experience respectively. However, the study further observed that an increase in health and safety practices such as safety training, committee, education, facilities, etc. will increase the level of knowledge of respondents on health and safety policies. The study further revealed that the more health and safety practices, the higher the primary responsibility of site managers to ensure that workers are practicing safety. However, the general working conditions of respondents did not meet acceptable standards as revealed by the observation checklist. The study, therefore, recommends that prime Stakeholders in the ASGM need to consider investing in future research on ASGM safety issues to acquire accurate database on ASGM operations safety.
Occupational Health Hazards among Large-Scale Gold Mineworkers in Ghana
Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine
Introduction: The mining industry ranks among the most hazardous occupations globally owing to the high prevalence of workplace accidents. To better protect workers in the industry, there is a need for a comprehensive understanding of risk factors, common illnesses and provision of PPE. Objective: This study examined the prevalence and underlying risk factors to work-related injuries, common illnesses, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage among mineworkers in two large-scale mining companies in Ghana that consented to participation. Methodology: Two hundred mineworkers were selected through stratified sampling in these companies using a semi-structured questionnaire. Chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were employed to determine the relationship between the incidence of occupational injury and selected risk factors using R studio. Results: The results showed that more than a tenth (16%; n = 31) of mineworkers had sustained physical injuries since being employed-mostly lacerations (53%). Out of those injured, (85%; n = 22) reportedly sustain an injury annually. A little more than half (57%; n = 112) of the mineworkers work for more than 40 hours per week. Injuries were significantly associated with the type of profession at the mine (p = 0.04; χ 2 = 4.3)-Technicians and Mechanics were more likely to be injured. Although not statistically significant, working for more than 40 hours/week doubled the odds of being injured at the workplace (aOR = 1.77; 95% CI: −0.27-1.48). The topmost illnesses among mineworkers were musculoskeletal pains (MSPs) [53%] and headaches (35%). About two-thirds (65%) had all the needed PPEs for their work. Safety goggles were the predominant PPE reportedly lacking among the mineworkers (16%; n = 31). Conclusion: There is a need for targeted training/intervention programmes and adoption of assistive ergonomic devices to protect mineworkers.
West African Journal of Applied Ecology, 2018
This study assesses some environmental and safety impacts, causes of accidents and hazards associated with operations at 10 selected Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sites in Asankrangwa and Kenyasi areas. The aim is to establish the extent of the environmental and safety impacts and the risks associated with the hazards at the ASM sites and suggest ways to minimise the impacts. Dust and noise monitoring results show that silica dust and noise levels are above the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) of occupational exposure limits. Results from questionnaire administration indicate that low levels of risk awareness, use of personal protective equipment, workplace monitoring and incident reporting, are the main challenges associated with the ASM operations. Causes of accidents are in the decreasing order of Pit collapse, Blasting, Flooding, Suffocation and Others. Using a 5x5 risk matrix, initial risk assessment (IRA), based on existing site conditions and residual risk assessment (RRA), based on recommended controls were conducted on 7 hazard types. The IRA scored HIGH (11-17) to EXTREME (18-25) values while the RRA scored MEDIUM (6-10) to LOW (1-5) values which represent average risk drop of about 47%. Fifty percent of the study sites indicate HIGH fatality rates. The causes of incidents are in the reducing order of; Handling of explosives, Digging to expose the ore, Shaft sinking, Ore preparation and beneficiation, Underground mining, Working in a poorly consolidated environment and Tunnelling. Risk Assessment is thus established as a necessary requirement for ASM practice in Ghana.
This study aimed to examine Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Compliance in the Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector in Ghana with a focus on Adadiem and identify the challenges associated with it. A quantitative research method was employed and all 248 survey respondents were sampled. The study revealed a lack of compliance with OSH practices, and “hit by working tools” and slipping/falling were identified as the most common types of safety hazards leading to minor injuries in the ASGM industry. It was also observed that working tools and machinery are the main sources of injuries and mostly affect the legs, knees, and feet. The findings of the study indicate the presence of OSH breaches in the ASGM industry in the study area. It is therefore proposed that the government of Ghana create and enforce legislation that places stringent requirements on ASGM operators to ensure that they are meeting OSH standards and protecting the health and safety of their workers, and th...
Scientific & Academic Publishing, 2020
The administration of Health and Safety is an issue that is significant and pivotal to all organizations across all businesses worldwide. This integrates conventional and commercial businesses, data innovation (IT), care homes, schools, higher instructive teaching, travel and relaxation among others. The construction industry in the nation has always suffered due to hazardous working conditions. Occupational Health and safety is specifically significant and vital for the construction industry. The construction industry has a global reputation for the quality of work but, however, remains one of the most dangerous industries within the country. Contractors, subcontractors and their workforce quite frequently face varied risks from hazards which could result in injuries, other illnesses and even deaths in severe instances. This study investigated occupational health and safety on selected construction sites in the Sunyani Municipality in Ghana. Three different sets of questionnaires were distributed to and interviews conducted for consultants, contractors and construction workers in the Building Construction Industry. The focus of the interviews and questionnaires included accident origins, health and safety policy and management, factors affecting health and safety and reporting schedules. The results indicated that the factors responsible for most accidents on construction sites are workforce situations and management operations. It was also revealed that lack of PPE's, technical guidance, training, safety knowledge and fatigue could seriously affect health and safety on construction sites either as one or in combination. The study recommended the enforcement of safety protocols on all construction sites and a progressively consistent and sustainable health and safety educational campaign programmes to enhance awareness of the negative implications of lack of health and safety procedures on site.
PLOS ONE, 2021
Artisanal goldminers in Ghana are exposed to various levels and forms of health, safety and environmental threats. Without the required legislation and regulations, artisanal miners are responsible for their own health and safety at work. Consequently, understanding the probabilities of self-protection at work by artisanal goldminers is crucial. A cross-sectional survey of 500 artisanal goldminers was conducted to examine the probabilities of personal protective equipment use among artisanal goldminers in Ghana. The data was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. Initial findings showed that personal protective equipment use among artisanal miners was 77.4%. Overall, higher probabilities of personal protective equipment use was observed among artisanal goldminers who work in good health and safety conditions as compared to artisanal miners who work in poor health and safety conditions. Also, personal protective equipment use was more probable among the highly educ...
IOSR Journals , 2019
The study aimed to assess the occupational health hazards among quarry workers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study employed a cross sectional study that deals with observational and clinical examination that involved the measurement of outdoor gaseous pollutants, interview of participants with a well structured questionnaire and ocular examination of participants. The completed and collected questionnaire was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0. The results were presented in frequency tables and percentages in line with the research objectives. A total of 212 subjects participated in the study, 92(43.40%) were males while 120 (56.60%) were females. The result showed that sneezing (79.40%) followed by cough (58.45%) were higher among crushed stone quarry-related disease compared to other diseases. It was reported that 34.26% of the subjects have developed ocular signs of cataract occurrence. Also, 31.3% of the subjects have developed ocular signs of blurry vision, 27.17% had itching and 15.5% had eye irritation as ocular symptoms. In terms of knowledge, 180(84.91%) of the subjects reported that noise is one of the source of pollution, 182(85.84) strongly agreed that dust is main source of pollution. For prevention aspect, 107(50.47%) reported that dust must be sprayed with water to reduce air pollution and 111(56.76%) said dusty haul roads must be watered regularly. In conclusion, the result showed a significant relationship between quarry activities and health problems because exposure to gases can have major health implications. Therefore, the quarry workers should be encourage to comply with personal protective equipment to protect their health
A Status of Health and Safety to Small Scale Mineworkers in Singida Region, Tanzania
Mining is viewed as one of the lucrative economic activities which have the potential of contributing to the development of economies. At the same time, health and safety impacts of mining to the mineworkers have been a major concern to governments, the general public, stakeholder organizations and individuals. Whiles the contributions of mining activities to economic development of Tanzania is well acknowledged, others contend that, the gains from the mining sector to the economy is achieved at significant health and safety costs to the mineworkers in the country. The research examines the health and safety impacts of Londoni gold mining to the mineworkers in Manyoni District. In total, 90 small scale gold mineworkers were involved for data collection through questionnaire survey. In addition, 10 key informants from institutions and organizations which hold stake in the mining and related health and safety issues were involved through key informant's interviews. Likewise, 10 people were involved to give information through Focus Group Discussions. Furthermore, field site visits and documentary review were used to get data. The research revealed that, gold mining has resulted in health and safety problems to the mineworkers due to lack of miners protective gears, poor mining technology, and unsafe sexual intercourse. These have led to the loss of lives and properties due to spreading of both pandemic and epidemic diseases, ergonomic problems, and machine accidents. As a recommendation, there is a need for the mining company to make regular pits and equipments checkups, supply adequate and quality person protective equipments, and raising community awareness on health and safety aspects in mining extraction.
Heliyon
The study employed the binary logistic regression model, Chi-square, and likelihood ratio test to explore the nexus between socio-demographic characteristics and role assignment as well as Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) undertakings in the Amansie Central District of Ghana. Simple random sampling was employed to sample 250 respondents from three (3) different mining sites. The results revealed that sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, and work experience significantly impacted the type of role assumed by individuals in ASGM undertakings. For the socio-demographic effects on OHS issues, male respondents especially those in the age group between 18 and 35 with less work experience and education had a higher risk of recording injuries/accidents. Other risk factors such as types of role, reasons for ASGM, awareness of OHS hazards, awareness of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), usage of PPE, arrest for not using PPE, cost of PPE, and frequency of buying PPE had a statistically significant influence on the occurrence of injuries/accidents. It is recommended that the Government implement initiatives to ensure that workers in ASGM operations in Ghana are provided with training, education, resources, and support services to ensure their safety and well-being, taking into account their socio-demographic characteristics. Also, the government and related stakeholders create more jobs through sustainable mining with long-term potential in local districts to address goals 1 (No poverty) and 2 (zero hunger) of the sustainable development goals.
Practice of Occupational safety among Artisianal miners in a rural community in South-west Nigeria
Background: Artisanal miners are subsistence miners, who generally work with hand tools. An estimated 13-20 million people in developing countries are engaged in this occupation and are exposed to various health-related occupational hazards. This study seeks to find out the occupational safety practices among artisanal miners in a rural community in southwest Nigeria. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in Ijero-Ekiti area of Ekiti State using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire to assess the occupational safety practices of artisanal miners. The analysis was done using EPI INFO version 4.3.1. Results: Of the 118 respondents interviewed 66 (56%) did not make use of protective measures, while 52 (44%) made use of it. Respondents who said their employers did provide protective measures for them were 24 (20.3%), while 37 (31.4%) respondents did not give a response to this question. Conclusion: Provision and practice of occupational s...